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When traveling outside of the United States or to a foreign country, it is important to remember to pack smart and keep the following food and water tips in mind:

Avoid stomach problems

For most of us, our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. However, when traveling, try to eat smaller, more reasonably-sized portions. If you know that you have sensitivities to certain foods such as spicy or fried foods, avoid them. Also, be wary of water when traveling. Avoid local tap water, and don’t forget that this includes ice cubes as well as when you brush your teeth!

Collapsible Cups

You don’t have to be a complete germaphobe to pack a collapsible cup to take with you on trips. These cups come in handy whenever you need to share a bottled beverage with someone else or if you simply don’t trust the washing job on the glassware at the local restaurants.

Food Allergies

If you have severe or even moderate food allergies, jot these down on a piece of paper and bring it with you when you travel, this way proper care can be given to you in the event of an emergency.

Invest in a Water Purifier

Depending on where you are traveling as well as how long you plan to stay away, these can come in handy and may save you a lot of grief (and sickness) in the long run.

(Via: Magellan’s)

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The heavily customized bike that is pictured at the end of this post was build by a guy named O. Ray Courtney back in 1936 and is based on a 1930 K.J. Henderson. It was later restored by Frank Westfall. To read the full article visit KnuckleBuster, where there are more really great photos to see.

The photos were taken when the newly restored Art-Deco bike was revealed at the Rhinebeck Grand National Meet in New York. As it turns out, the bike is powered by an inline 4-cylinder engine. The guy responsible for so meticulously restoring this piece of history, Frank Westfall, obviously cares a great deal about this particular motorcycle. And for that, the rest of us are incredibly grateful.

(KnuckleBuster via Wired)

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In the following video, Edmunds Inside Line reviews the 2010 Callaway Camaro SSLS3 at the track.

For starters, one of the cool features of this vehicle is that it can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds. On a second attempt, the Camaro SSLS3 goes from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds without rollout. It later covers a quarter of a mile on the track in 12.3 seconds at top speeds of 118.4 miles per hour.

Overall, I would say that this is a pretty nice ride. However, the only question remaining is:

“Where do you drive this car at speeds like this?”

Check out the video below for more impressive tests that the Callaway Camaro SSLS3 went through.

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Chrysler Financial Company may start lending again to consumers and dealers after being knocked off of the leaderboard as one of the main lenders in 2009.

According to reports from Automotive News,

Chrysler Financial aims to start with loans to buyers with near-prime credit, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private. It is also looking to raise capital and considering a name change, the person said. The company has also asked dealers about financing their inventory, said retailers who have been contacted.

This shift in strategy has proven even the president wrong as the company is now benefiting from a rebound in used-car prices, reaching a record high back in May of this year. As it turns out, it is this same collateral from used car sales that may now be able to help Chrysler raise the monies it needs, thus accelerating lending.

Since it went bankrupt back in 2009, Chrysler Financial was replaced by GMAC as the primary lender for Chrysler dealers. Since then, Chrysler has re-collected most of its outstanding payments and loans.

(Via: Automotive News)

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For those of us who have grown up with the Corvette, we have no doubt seen the transition it has made over the years both in body style as well as improved performance. In the following video by Edmunds Inside Line, the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is put to the test in order to see how it actually performs once it hits the pavement.

Keep in mind that these tests are performed by professionals on closed roads, so don’t try to attempt your own “test performances” on your own. Also keep in mind that if you are interested in purchasing a 2010 model of the Chevrolet Corvette, expect to pay upwards of at least $50,000 as per the official website.

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BY CHRISTIAN SCHULTE

According to Car and Driver, the Audi R8 may soon be joined by another family member likely to be called the R4.

Apparently, Audi is planning both coupe and roadster versions of the R4 with an emphasis on lightweight materials. Experts are predicting a hybrid body structure comprised of both steel and aluminum, weighing in around 2500 pounds.

Production costs are also being taken into consideration, and the R4 will more than likely be priced as an ‘affordable sports car’ geared at a younger audience, quite possibly being cheaper than even the Audi TT.

Regardless of what Audi turns out in the end, sports car enthusiasts are, no doubt, waiting on the edge of their seats with anticipation.

To see more illustrations of this concept car-to-be, click here.

(Via: Car and Driver)

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While General Motors (GM) may have not gotten the best reputation over the last couple of years, it seems as if they may be making a slight comeback with the Chevrolet Volt, which opened to a fairly warm reception. In the following video, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) conducts an in-depth review of the Volt as well as when you can expect the 2011 model to come out.

KBB had the following to say about the Volt,

For a car that’s still not for available for sale, it feels like we’ve been hearing about the Chevrolet Volt for forever. Years worth of rumors, spy photos and technical details piqued our interest in Chevrolet’s new electric car. The 2011 Chevy Volt won’t go on sale until late 2010 but Kelley Blue Book’s Jack Nerad and James Bell recently got a sneak peak of the Volt driving experience. In this video James and Jack drive the Chevrolet Volt, learn more about what to expect from the production model and share their initial impressions. [source]

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One time, while flying non-stop from New Jersey to southern California, things were going swimmingly- that was until I got back to the east coast and had my entire time schedule thrown off, thanks to jet lag.

According to the Travel Industry Dictionary, jet lag is:

A physiological condition caused by the disorientation of a person’s biological clock due to travel across several time zones. Characterized by irritability, lethargy, insomnia, and other symptoms.

Symptoms

Symptoms of jet lag include:

• Fatigue
• Disorientation
• Lack of concentration and motivation
• Disrupted sleep after travel
• Dehydration
• Discomfort of legs and feet

What you can do about jet lag:

• Prepare for a long trip by getting REST.
• Purchase and try No-Jet-Lag.
• Avoid sleeping pills or pharmaceuticals while you fly.
• Drink plenty of water, approximately 8 to 16 ounces for each hour of travel.
• Practice stretching exercises while on the plane or in the airport.
• Avoid sleeping until bedtime in order to help reset your body clock.

(Via: Magellan’s)

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Owning a Smart Car just got a little bitt cooler, thanks to Magda Sayeg of KnittaPlease. In the following pictures, you can see that Magda actually created a crochet cover for a Smart Car. But don’t ask me how she did it. However, the design looks pretty awesome.

The inspiration for this crocheted car project came as a part of the Il Lusso Essenziale, a Roman arts festival. The festival celebrates the “rediscovery of the extraordinary nature of everyday life,” or the luxury of the essential.

Kudos to Magda for coming up with something so creative. It still leaves one wondering just how she was able to get the crocheted pieces to adhere to the vehicle. And also, I cannot personally help but wonder just how long all of this took…

(KnittaPlease via Likecool)

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In the following video, the folks over at Kelley Blue Book (KBB) take a closer look at the 2010 Infiniti G37 Convertible. According to KBB,

…both sedan and coupe iterations, the Infiniti G has been a strong performer for Nissan’s luxury division. Building on that success, Infiniti has introduced a convertible version of the G37, featuring two doors and a retractable hard top. Recently, the KBB offices were graced with a G37 Convertible for an extended three-month loan. In this video Kelley Blue Book’s Leigh Anne Sessions wraps up our time with this drop top, cataloguing the plusses and minuses and determining whether it lives up to the high standards set by the G37 Coupe and Sedan. [source]

So, what do they think? Thumbs up all the way. Check out the video below to see the 2010 Infiniti G37 Convertible in action. You can also view more about the pricing on this vehicle by visiting KBB here.

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